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By now, you’ve heard the very big news-that-isn’t-quite-yet-news that Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein is on the “brink” (or “cusp,” or “verge,” or “precipice,” if you prefer) of coming to the Chicago Cubs. Word broke last night, and a few hours of searching, reading, and tweeting later, here’s your rundown of where things stand:

Most sources (media and baseball) agree that the deal is not quite done, but has reached such an advanced stage that it could be announced at any time.

WEEI radio reports this morning, however, that it’s a “done deal.” The compensation piece is still being finalized, but they say the deal is done in principal. Epstein will get north of $15 million over five years, and his title will be something more than general manager. The deal, they say, will be announced this week.

Similarly, the Sun-Times reports that the Cubs have circulated a memo scheduling organizational meetings for the second week of November, which a source tells them the Cubs would not do unless the GM situation was settled, internally.

Red Sox President Larry Lucchino may as well have confirmed how close a deal was with his tepid denial: “We are not commenting on that type of issue unless and until there is a resolution. That has been a consistent policy and practice of the Red Sox for years.”

The sense you get from a variety of sources is that Epstein has been weighing the personal cost of leaving his hometown, where he’s happy and his family happy, in favor of the professional challenge (and monetary reward) of Chicago.

Depending on whom you ask, the last piece to work out (aside from the personal issues) is either the compensation going to the Red Sox, or the other executives coming to Chicago with Epstein. The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham says it’s the latter, most other media types are saying it’s the former.

Virtually everyone agrees that no Major League players will be included in a deal for Epstein. At most, it will be prospects and cash.

The Red Sox are not going to let Epstein raid the front office on his way out the door.

Jon Heyman, whom I apparently only cite as reliable when he agrees with me, says he’s heard the compensation might only be financial. I reported that possibility via a source last week.

The Cubs have continued the process with other prospective GM candidates in case the Epstein deal falls through. The Sun-Times lists Andrew Friedman, Rick Hahn, and Dan Evans, specifically.

If Theo takes the job, Gordon Edes says Ryne Sandberg becomes the favorite to get the managerial gig. Epstein has, apparently, been a Sandberg fan for a while, and tried to hire him to manage the Red Sox’s AAA affiliate last year.

Because it’s the Cubs, and they’ve broken our hearts so many times, I’d recommend stealing your heart for another couple days until the press conference actually happens. Yes, things look very, very good right now. But we’ve been burned before.

Damn, ESPN just brought up the Billy Goat curse, come on Theo save us goats!

bacboris

Brett, on a non Theo note. I tried stealing my heart but now where do I put it?

Fishin Phil

Take it to the nearest organ pawn shop.

http://www.bleachernation.com Brett

In a locked box with your little magic glasses.

(Anybody?)

Matt

SNL?

http://www.michigangoat.blogspot.com MichiganGoat

Wait is Al Gore getting a front office position

http://www.michigangoat.blogspot.com MichiganGoat

Or can Ricketts revive Johnny Cash?

Ian Afterbirth

Isn’t it “steeling” not “stealing”?

DRock

Is this for real? A couple of months ago, Theo Epstein was a pipe-dream, now we are talking like it might actually happen…I am trying not to get too excited yet, but can’t help to think about Epstein as GM/President courting Fielder or Pujols. If the Cubs are somehow able to get the best GM in baseball, why couldn’t we get the best 1B in the league too?

EQ76

especially with 50-60 mil to spend.. there’s no doubt we can get one of them.. but will we?

Lou

Puljos isn’t going to help this team. Fielder might though.

die hard

Mr. Ricketts’ man crush is affecting his good judgment..

http://www.michigangoat.blogspot.com MichiganGoat

Oh die hard, you are the Grinch of this Christmas Day.

Joe Cartwright

Once we get into the playoffs, his heart will grow three sizes.

MightyBear

If this turns out to be true, Christmas came early. My dream scenario is Epstein GM/Sandberg Manager.

Cubs Realist

Bingo Mighty Bear!

http://www.michigangoat.blogspot.com MichiganGoat

Today is an amazing day iOS5 is released today and Theo is coming… Apple and Cub geekness in full affect baby

ISU Birds

In the words of George W. “We Got Him!”

ISU Birds

Imagine if Mark Cuban owned this team now with Theo. * Stares longingly at a the Mavericks Championship picture.*

http://www.michigangoat.blogspot.com MichiganGoat

I just went to MLBTR and see that the Theo to Chicago post has been removed. Interesting?

ISU Birds

Nah it’s still there.

http://www.michigangoat.blogspot.com MichiganGoat

Your right, I swear I just refreshed it multple times and it wasn’t there any more and now its back… I’m such a loser today OR the site was so bombarded that it was behind.

Ol’CharlieBrown

Something tells me this is more of an assumption than actual fact, but the a headline on MSN.com under the Sports section says: Report: Red Sox GM joins Cubs

“It looks like Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is off to try to end another curse, reportedly agreeing to a deal with the Chicago Cubs.”

Like I said, I don’t believe this is necessarily “confirmed”, but signs, signs, everywhere are signs…

Ol’CharlieBrown

MLBTR also has a post this morning titled: Cubs Agree To Deal With Theo Epstein

“Theo Epstein has agreed on a five-year deal worth more than $15MM with the Cubs, according to WEEI’s John Dennis.”

No way Cubs give up any decent prospects to bring in Theo. Epstein is going to have a 103 lb goat on his back from day 1, he doesn’t want to have the added pressure of giving up an MLB ready prospect in exchange for him to come here. Cash and maybe a low-level prospect at best.

die hard

Theo not going to get anything done cause other GMs know hes trying to make a splash and they will drain the pool

http://TheoWaiting Cheryl

Actually the other GMs may think they can get someone cheap and they probably can.

Rancelot

Dude, I’m convinced that you would piss on a stack of $100 bills because you would rather be paid in gold coins. Can’t us Cubs fans be happy for one damn day? Is that asking for too much?

I’m so freaking happy right now!! Ricketts is the man. Period. If Theo hires Ryno as manager I’ll shit a chicken! And the most encouraging thing i read all day was in the Kaplan article telling how Ricketts wants to rebuild the organization the right way and build through the farm system.

NL_Cubs

I was thinking the same thing. I’m very encouraged by reading how the talks between Ricketts and Epstein went smoothly and that the long term “plan” is one that both sides agreed on and is one to make the Chicago Cubs Baseball Club a “heavyweight”. Full steam ahead.

Bails17

Would that be a whole, live chicken with feathers and all? Or like the ones you get at the grocery that are prepackaged and already in pieces? Just sayin!

T Wags

Full, live, feathered, chicken. And then I’m gonna dance with it. Just sayin!

5 years!!!!!….taking bets hes gone before then….not sustainable….should have been a show me what you can do one year contract with mutual option

JulioZuleta

Is that a joke? So he would leave a place with one year left on his deal to go to another place with one year on his deal? Also, you’re nuts if you think this team can be completely fixed in a year. Sometimes I’m not sure if you’re serious or not

Lou

You have to give credit where credit is due with the Ricketts though, dont you? I mean Epstein went to Yale and then law school. He was impressed with the research and commitment the Ricketts family are investing in this team. Even for someone who’s more realistic about things like me, THAT’S A MAJOR WOW FACTOR!

Cubs Realist

die hard do you know anything about business? About Baseball? About anything?

dreese

just got a text from ESPN buster onley says that thei has left the red sox for the cub and he got a 5 yrear deal worth nearly 20…

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